Local News

The opening of the St. Clair Inn is drawing near, and Jeff Katofsky, Managing Member of Planet Clair LLC and developer of the St. Clair Inn, recently gave WGRT an inside look at the progress. Local residents are probably expecting a whole new look, but they may be pleasantly surprised with the familiarity and charm that has been preserved. From bathrooms to guest rooms, Katofsky says, original elements can be seen. “The doors in the bathrooms are the original doors from the guest rooms [on the] historic side. The sinks in the men’s room were sinks that we found in the Inn. The copper that was used behind the signage in the front was copper from the roof.” While the first private event is scheduled for this weekend, the public’s chance to see the historic property’s transformation is still about a month out. Public openings will start with the restaurant “1926”, the hotel’s more formal and only three-meal restaurant, in late October to early November. Following the first restaurant’s opening, several other venues throughout the grounds will be opened every 7-10 days. Hotel rooms are expected to start being offered towards the end of the year to the beginning of early 2020. 

As the school year gets into full swing and learning becomes a priority for students, teachers become an important component to that learning. The State of Michigan is looking for candidates for their yearly Michigan Teacher of the Year program. The program recognizes outstanding educational leaders across the state that go above and beyond for students while also promoting their own profession. State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice said Michigan is fortunate to have teachers who dedicate themselves each day to raising up their students and elevating their profession. Nominations can be made using an online form, and they are accepted until October 6th. The nominee must have a current Michigan teaching certificate, have at least five years of successful teaching experience in the state, and work directly with students in their current role. Teachers in Michigan who meet the requirements are eligible to apply and will receive an email inviting them to apply.

Two serious accidents occurred over the weekend in Sanilac and St. Clair Counties. In Sanilac County, a personal injury accident happened when a 22-year-old man was hanging out of the passenger window of a 2017 Compass. When the driver made a turn onto Applegate Road from Juhl Road, the passenger hanging out of the window fell out. The driver and a third passenger of the vehicle then drove the injured man to Marlette Regional Hospital for treatment. The man was later transferred to Flint’s Hurley Hospital. Alcohol and the lack of seat belt use were contributing factors.

In the second accident that took place in St. County, the sheriff’s office responded to a scene involving multiple motorcycles. In that accident, a 56-year-old man from Southgate sustained fatal injuries. A preliminary investigation showed that the man’s motorcycle lost control while riding from blacktop to gravel, possibly due to poor road conditions, causing other motorcycles to lose control attempting to avoid the first. It is believed one of the motorcycles that tried to avoid the man struck him causing the fatal injuries. The investigation is ongoing.  

The Blue Water View Condominiums in Port Huron continue to make progress. Lara Miller of Sotheby’s International Realty, the exclusive listing agent for the building, said that one-third of the building is currently under contract with a goal to complete the project by Spring of 2020. According to Miller, much of the work currently being done is taking place on the inside. Floors one through four are currently being expedited, and Miller said they hope to have occupancy on some of those floors by the end of 2019. In addition to water views, the condo building features high-end amenities like a heated driveway that will lead to underground parking for residents, a pool, hot-tub, sauna, and more. Those interested in the condominiums can take a construction tour of the project from 5 to 7 pm on Thursdays and 1 to 3 pm on Sundays until the end of October. Private appointments are also available. According to Miller, one-bedroom units start at $250,000 and two-bedroom condos begin at $450,000.

A unique event is right around the corner in St. Clair next to the historic St. Clair Inn whose first event is drawing near. Local residents along with whistle collectors and enthusiasts from around the United States and Canada will visit Whistles on the Water for the 11th annual event. Attendees will get the chance to hear massive brass instruments, some of them more than six feet tall, sound off with window-rattling and ground-shaking roars that replicate freighter and other whistle equipped vessels. Unlike other steam whistle events that rely on compressed air, Whistles on the Water uses a massive steam boiler that produces 161 pounds per square inch of pressure. The boiler produces an authentic sound common during the 19th century when steamships ruled the Great Lakes. Event attendees will have a chance to operate a steam whistle while watching and hearing modern freighters as their captains respond to salutes from the steam whistles, a unique feature thanks to the event’s location on the riverfront. The annual event takes place 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. September 28th and is free to attend.

It’s another new week in the Blue Water Area, and with that comes new road closures and detours residents will want to be aware of. According to the St. Clair County Road Commission, in Berlin Township, Capac Road between Hough and Tubspring continues to be closed. The project is expected to wrap up at the beginning of October. In Burtchville Township, State Road between Myron and Burtch continues to be closed for bridge replacement but the stretch should be open by the weekend.

In southern St. Clair County’s Casco Township, Church Road between Puttygut and St. Clair Highway will be closed for two days this week due to crossroad culvert replacement. North, in Kimball Township, Dove Road between Ditty and Wadhams will be closed for bridge maintenance that is expected to be completed next week. In Wales Township, Wales Center Road is still closed for bridge replacement and will continue to be closed for approximately one more month. Also in Wales, the right lane of westbound I-69 between M-19 and Wales Center Road will be closed for concrete patching this week.